Too much, too little, just enough!

[Thecatsbutler]

I'm really warming up to the more minimalist look for my home. Roller blinds instead of curtains. One thing on the window sill instead of 4 photo frames and a plant. Nothing other than my coffee machine and mixer on my kitchen surface. No cushions, no throws, no shite laying around basically.
I realise I hate housework, putting things away, moving things to clean surfaces etc.
Anyone achieved the minimalist look without going to the prison cell look.
Not too much stuff that it looks like an antique shop, not too little that it looks like you've been burgled, but just enough that it looks elegantly simple.

I think I have. People often comment on how my house looks really homely, but it is as you describe in all but I do have cushions and throws.
I like to incorporate hygienist so I am very selective about what is on surfaces ( nothing on windowsills for example, and only the kettle and coffee making equipment on the kitchen surfaces).
I think hard lines are something to think about carefully - imo too much can look very prison cell like.
You can definitely do soft and comfortable and minimal.

For hygienist, read hygge.....
Bloody autocorrect

Did you go cold turkey or did you gradually minimize. Or were you always this way🤔😏
I really want to get rid of everything before I have to clean again but think that may be to extreme 😳

I did the onion method and reduced in layers. I did a sweep round then when we had adjusted to it went round again. And so on.
Because if you have a lot, any reduction at all looks bare - but in reality it can still be a lot.
I was a maximalist my whole life until I realised minimalism would bring so much calm to my life.

You can just get rid of the obvious excess, and then store the " not sures" for a defined amount of time and see how you live without them.
But it must not be indefinite storage, that's important.
At the end of the period ( or before if urgent) you can pull back out what you've missed.

I think I must be a maximalist ( new word for me but very accurate) I think having lots of homey things around makes my house look homey but it just stresses me out when things are out of place. Definitely having less would mean less clutter and untidiness.

You could try taking all the extra homey bits out of one room - so stripping it right back. Put everything away or just remove stuff you'd need a home for, and see how you feel about it after a couple of weeks.

I agree if you are minimalist, balance it with soft curves and cosy lighting, soft textures etc.

I have far too many plants and cannot seem to cut down. So I think I need to be ruthless on everything else.

Dh is going away soon. I think I'll use the time to decluter. I also realised that dh or the kids couldn't care less on homey stuff, nik- naks, plants. Whether I have 1 plant or 4 on the windowsill. They have no idea how many towels, sheets, pots etc we have. It's me....all me. I suppose acknowledging I have a problem is the first step😁

I have been thinking about this recently as I really hate having too much stuff and clutter but have also realised I am quite drawn to interiors that feel cozy and have lots of books etc. So I am aiming to not have too much stuff, but have things that I love and look good - so a bit like a lovely boutique hotel but more personal!! That’s what I am aiming for anyway…

I just have stuff everywhere… not hoarder level but just too much.

I think I will take PP’s advice & try to remove stuff gradually. Although I’m not quite sure what to do with it (other than charity / bin)

I really don't like things on windowsills, and don't have lots of ornaments. I do have cushions, pictures on the walls and so on, just not too much of anything.

Instead of photos, ornaments and plants on my windowsills, I have just left one plant in each window. I have colour coordinated the pots and it looks really nice. I decided to tackle an area at time, instead of all at once. I actually have a lot of windowsills so this may take a while. I have boxed up the surplus and put it away for now.
I'm trying not to get overwhelmed so doing one area at a time.

@Thecatsbutler

Dh is going away soon. I think I'll use the time to decluter. I also realised that dh or the kids couldn't care less on homey stuff, nik- naks, plants. Whether I have 1 plant or 4 on the windowsill. They have no idea how many towels, sheets, pots etc we have. It's me....all me. I suppose acknowledging I have a problem is the first step😁

But also, you're the only reason your house has any homey feel at all.

I think the one plant per window sill is a good idea, and maybe change things round occasionally. I put photos up on the walls out of the way. I'll never be a minimalist, I can never conquer all the paperwork, tissue boxes, kids' certificates etc but I have enjoyed getting rid of a few ornaments I was feeling ambivalent about.

I have cupboards that I open, then just close again as I don't know where to start😯 I thought if I do all the visable areas first then it will be less daunting tackling The Cupboards 😕